Epilogue
Hartford got out of the back of the SUV, not waiting for the driver to open the door. He was sprinting his way around the car to get the door and then slowed, giving her a sly smile. She knew he’d rather she waited in the car—and she did oblige most days—but today was different. It was her birthday, and she’d promised Trent she’d be home before his bedtime. She was already later than she had promised.
Pushing the front door open, she inhaled the aroma of roast chicken, a smile spread across her face. “I’m home!” she called, hanging her coat in the closet. Nostalgia engulfed her. She remembered the day she’d walked into this house six months ago unwelcome, greeted coldly by the man of the house. Today, this house felt like home. The décor was different, and so was her apparel. She considered quickly popping into the bathroom to change her Seahawks Physio jersey for the blouse and skirt stuffed inside her bag. She hadn’t had the time to change before she left the office.
She walked along the entry hallway, folding her sleeves higher, her brow furrowing. “Hello? Boys?” She chuckled to herself. “What’s up with you two?” She walked toward the back of the house, where the large doors looked out onto the pool that was securely fenced.
A giggle from the dining room made her spin toward it eagerly. She bit her lip, grinning ear to ear. “I wonder where everyone is!” she called jokingly as she made her way toward the dining room and then stopped short.
Both boys launched into it, singing “Happy Birthday” enthusiastically, Gerard blowing a small, yellow trumpet that looked hilariously miniscule in his hand. She laughed as Trent ran up to her and hugged her legs. She clutched him, while leaning up to receive Gerard’s slow kiss.
“Happy birthday,” he whispered in her ear. “I love you, and I’ll always love you.”
Hartford blinked repeatedly as tears brimmed in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Gerard’s wide shoulders while clutching Trent to her thighs with her free hand. Emotion overwhelmed her; she squeezed her eyes shut, praying, for them, for her newfound family, grateful for all she had.
“So what are we having?” she asked Trent. “I smell fish.”
“Chicken, Mommy.” Trent chuckled.
“Great. I’m famished! And I love chicken…” She hauled Trent up into her arms. “And I love you.”
The birthday dinner was everything she’d never dreamed of. She had a family. Trent had his father, and she had the love of her life. She also had a job that kept her excited every day. What more could she possibly want? She leaned closer to Gerard, and he kissed her cheek.
“This is the best birthday I’ve ever had.”
“I’ll keep trying to give you even better ones every year.”
After dinner, Gerard and Trent sneaked off into the kitchen and told her to wait in the living room. Giddy with contentment, she curled her legs beneath her and didn’t know whether she should laugh or cry when Trent walked in holding a massive chocolate cake with Gerard’s help.
“Here you go. Your favorite.”
“Should we cut it now?” She was feeling like a hyper child.
“We have presents for you,” Trent exclaimed.
“Should we open those first?”
“Yes, yes!” Trent squealed. “Close your eyes.”
Hartford did instantly and heard the both of them chuckling.
“No peeking,” Gerard called, and the urgency in his voice made her gear up for something exciting.
“I’m not peeking. I promise.” But she clamped her hand over her eyes just to assure them.
After some more shuffling sounds, she heard the coffee table scraping on the floor, and then Trent’s chubby little hand clutched her free one.
“Okay, open your eyes.”
She did, smiling. Gerard was standing behind Trent, as Trent kneeled on the rug at her feet, clutching her hand. “What is this?” She chuckled.
Trent turned to look at his father, then back at her. “I forgot!” he cried. As Gerard laughed, looking horrified, Trent looked straight at Hartford and blurted it out. “Will you marry Daddy?”
Hartford gasped, her eyes brimming with tears as she saw it: Gerard looking at her closely, and nervously. “What?”
“Daddy wants to marry you and he’s scared that you won’t say yes, so he asked me to ask you.”
“Oh my God.” The sobs broke free, and she covered her face with both hands. Gerard’s arms slid around her shoulders, and he hauled her face against his abs as he stood before her. He held her tightly—too tightly, crushing her. He kneeled down on the ground and snapped a square Tiffany’s box open in front of her.
“So, what do you think?” His voice was shaking.
“What do I think?” she exclaimed incredulously between sobs, clutching the sides of his face tenderly.
“Will you? Be my wife?”
Hartford sniffled, her shoulders shaking with sobs. “Of course.”
Gerard hauled her down onto his lap, his arms wrapping around her waist as her hands clasped his nape. She squeezed his wide, muscular body as tight as she could.
“This is the best birthday present ever.”
Gerard pulled back as Trent tried to push his way between their bodies. They squeezed him into the space between them and sat tangled on the rug.
“So… future Mrs. Blackstone?”
She chuckled at the glee in his voice. “Yes, current Mr. Blackstone?”
“What do you say…” He leaned closer to her ear, and the rest of his sentence was whispered. “We try to get Trent a sibling tonight?”
Hartford sniffled as he pulled back smiling. “You’re really keen on increasing the population of people with the Blackstone surname, aren’t you?”
“I’m desperate for it.”
She laughed and kissed him on the lips, a long slow kiss that told him how much she loved him, of how wonderful her life was with him, and that she couldn’t wait to give him another child.
THE END
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